A ‘sexual deviant’ had intercourse with a Shetland pony called Sky in a the dead of night, a court heard.

Alan Barnfield, aged 44, was found ‘sweating profusely and smelled strongly of horses’ when he was spoken to by police officers at Oak Tree Stables on Rakes Lane, Loversall, Doncaster.

Alan Barnfield, 44, arriving at Sheffield Crown Court

Residents who thought Barfield was going to steal two ponies, rang the police after they saw him acting suspiciously at around half past midnight on August 8 2012.

Sheffield Crown Court heard he was spotted putting something around the neck of a Shetland pony and leading two animals to a dark wooded area.

Prosecutor Louise Reevell said: “It is at this time the prosecution say that intercourse took place out of sight in a dark wooded area at the end of the paddock.”

When police searched Barfield’s rucksack looking for items he might use to commit theft, they found several cans of Lynx deodorant, a length of white electrical cable, a handheld water sprayer, a cloth, a metal dog chain and two bottles of Lucozade.

Barfield, of Hexthorpe Lane, Hexthorpe, Doncaster, said he was ‘just out walking’ and denies sexual intercourse with an animal.

Miss Reevell said the next day owner Jodie Walton inspected her ponies and found Sky appeared to be in discomfort.

A vet was called out and an examination conducted.

Horse DNA was found on a sample taken from Barfield, who had bestiality images and films on his mobile phone. The trial continues.